US3661265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Serum separator type container
Assignee: CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH AND DEV
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Filing: 1970-07-27
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-07-27
Abstract
Abstract Following mechanical or chemical separation of serum or plasma from the formed elements of blood, the serum or plasma is physically isolated from the precipitated formed elements by inserting a plug into the collection tube. The plug consists of a fibrous filter disc fastened to a rubber member having perforations which open when the pressure underneath the plug is greater than the pressure above the plug, but which are otherwise closed. A handle for manipulating the plug functions as a container to collect and remove serum or plasma. In an alternative embodiment, the handle is removably attached to the plug so that the plug can be left in place in the collection tube, maintaining isolation between the serum and the formed elements. In another alternative, the plug is provided with a container for collecting and storing serum. A similar plug inside the container is used to effect an additional filtration step.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Greenspan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:23
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021; B01D; B01D33/00; B01D33/01; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/49; G01N33/491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
A serum separator suitable to remove serum from a collection tube of height sufficient to contain a quantity of serum which has been separated from the formed elements of the blood and wherein the formed elements of the blood precipitate at the bottom of the collection tube and the serum positions above the formed blood elements, the combination of A. separator means which are insertable into and removable from the said collection tube, 1. said separator means having a height greater than the height of the collection tube and terminating in a first end and a second end, 2. said separator means including means to telescope the separator means into the collection tube to receive serum and out of the collection tube to remove serum, 3. said separator means including a serum receiving elongate, interior space; B. plug means closing the said first end of the separator means, 1. a portion of said plug means extending peripherally outwardly from the separator means a distance sufficient to contact the collection tube in a sliding, liquid-tight junction, 2. said plug means including one-way fluid valve means, a. said one way fluid valve means opening into the separator interior space to permit passage of serum from the collection tube into the interior space, b. said one way fluid valve means preventing serum from exiting the interior space at the said first end; and C. closure means closing the said second end of the separator means, 1. said closure means including one way air valve means, a. said one way air valve means opening in a direction away from the separator interior space to permit the passage of air from the interior space when serum enters the interior space, 2. the said separator means, the said plug means and said closure means cooperating to form a serum shipping container, a. said shipping container being removable from the collection tube, b. said serum shipping container retaining the serum therein after removal from the collection tube whereby the serum may be transported to another location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
A serum separator suitable to remove serum from a collection tube of height sufficient to contain a quantity of serum which has been separated from the formed elements of the blood and wherein the formed elements of the blood precipitate at the bottom of the collection tube and the serum positions above the formed blood elements, the combination of A. separator means which are insertable into and removable from the said collection tube, 1. said separator means having a height greater than the height of the collection tube and terminating in a first end and a second end, 2. said separator means including means to telescope the separator means into the collection tube to receive serum and out of the collection tube to remove serum, 3. said separator means including a serum receiving elongate, interior space; B. plug means closing the said first end of the separator means, 1. a portion of said plug means extending peripherally outwardly from the separator means a distance sufficient to contact the collection tube in a sliding, liquid-tight junction, 2. said plug means including one-way fluid valve means, a. said one way fluid valve means opening into the separator interior space to permit passage of serum from the collection tube into the interior space, b. said one way fluid valve means preventing serum from exiting the interior space at the said first end; and C. closure means closing the said second end of the separator means, 1. said closure means including one way air valve means, a. said one way air valve means opening in a direction away from the separator interior space to permit the passage of air from the interior space when serum enters the interior space, 2. the said separator means, the said plug means and said closure means cooperating to form a serum shipping container, a. said shipping container being removable from the collection tube, b. said serum shipping container retaining the serum therein after removal from the collection tube whereby the serum may be transported to another location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
said handle serving to remove the serum container and serum from the collection tube,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
said handle serving to remove the serum container and serum from the collection tube,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
said plug means including one-way fluid valve means, a. said one way fluid valve means opening into the separator interior space to permit passage of serum from the collection tube into the interior space, b. said one way fluid valve means preventing serum from exiting the interior space at the said first end; and C. closure means closing the said second end of the separator means,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
said plug means including one-way fluid valve means, a. said one way fluid valve means opening into the separator interior space to permit passage of serum from the collection tube into the interior space, b. said one way fluid valve means preventing serum from exiting the interior space at the said first end; and C. closure means closing the said second end of the separator means,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
the said separator means, the said plug means and said closure means cooperating to form a serum shipping container, a. said shipping container being removable from the collection tube, b. said serum shipping container retaining the serum therein after removal from the collection tube whereby the serum may be transported to another location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
the said separator means, the said plug means and said closure means cooperating to form a serum shipping container, a. said shipping container being removable from the collection tube, b. said serum shipping container retaining the serum therein after removal from the collection tube whereby the serum may be transported to another location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 and filtering means covering a portion of the plug means, Said filtering means being positioned to filter the serum before it enters the interior space through the one way fluid valve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
said plug means including one way fluid valve means opening in a direction away from the formed elements of the blood, a. said valve means permitting passage of the serum as the plug means insert into the tube; C. an operating handle associated with the plug means and having separable means to push the plug means into the open top of the tube,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
said plug means including one way fluid valve means opening in a direction away from the formed elements of the blood, a. said valve means permitting passage of the serum as the plug means insert into the tube; C. an operating handle associated with the plug means and having separable means to push the plug means into the open top of the tube,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
said handle disconnecting from the plug means at the separable means when the plug means are positioned within the hollow tube; and D. a cap closing the open top of the tube after disconnecting the said handle,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
said handle disconnecting from the plug means at the separable means when the plug means are positioned within the hollow tube; and D. a cap closing the open top of the tube after disconnecting the said handle,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
said separator means including means to telescope the separator means into the collection tube to receive serum and out of the collection tube to remove serum,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
said separator means including means to telescope the separator means into the collection tube to receive serum and out of the collection tube to remove serum,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
said first plug means including one way fluid valve means which open in a direction from the bottom to the top, a. said first plug means admitting serum into the serum container as the serum container slides downwardly into the collection tube; B. second plug means slidable within the serum container,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
said first plug means including one way fluid valve means which open in a direction from the bottom to the top, a. said first plug means admitting serum into the serum container as the serum container slides downwardly into the collection tube; B. second plug means slidable within the serum container,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
said second plug means including one way valve means opeNing in a direction towards the top of the serum container; and C. a handle removably connected to the serum container at the handle attaching means thereof,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
said second plug means including one way valve means opeNing in a direction towards the top of the serum container; and C. a handle removably connected to the serum container at the handle attaching means thereof,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
said separator means including a serum receiving elongate, interior space; B. plug means closing the said first end of the separator means,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
said separator means including a serum receiving elongate, interior space; B. plug means closing the said first end of the separator means,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the one way fluid valve means and the one way air valve means each include a disc of material resistant to the passage of fluid and air, a hole penetrating a portion of the disc and terminating within the disc in a resilient flap, said flap opening in a direction away from the hole to permit the passage of fluid or air through the disc and closing in a direction towards the hole to prevent the passage of fluid or air through the disc in said direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
said handle being removed from the serum container after the serum container has been pulled from the collection tube to permit the serum container to be employed as a shipping container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
said handle being removed from the serum container after the serum container has been pulled from the collection tube to permit the serum container to be employed as a shipping container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a combination serum collection tube and serum shipping container within which the formed elements of blood precipitate at the bottom and serum positions above the formed blood elements, the combination of A. a hollow cylindrical tube having an open top and a closed bottom,
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a combination serum collection tube and serum shipping container within which the formed elements of blood precipitate at the bottom and serum positions above the formed blood elements, the combination of A. a hollow cylindrical tube having an open top and a closed bottom,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the plug means are provided with retainers rising from the top, the retainers including separable handle engaging means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 4 and filtering means covering a portion of the plug means, said filtering means being positioned to filter the serum as it passes through the one way fluid valve means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
97 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the one way fluid valve means include a disc of material resistant to the passage of fluid, said disc being partially pierced by a hole which penetrates the disc from the bottom thereof, said hole penetrating a portion of the disc and terminating upwardly within the disc in a resilient flap, said flap opening in a direction away from the hole to permit the passage of fluid through the disc and closing in a direction towards the hole to prevent the passage of fluid through the disc from top to bottom.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a serum collection and shipping system for use in conjunction with a collection tube wherein the formed elements of blood precipitate at the bottom of the tube and the serum positions above the formed elements of the blood, the combination of A. a serum container slidable within the collection tube,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a serum collection and shipping system for use in conjunction with a collection tube wherein the formed elements of blood precipitate at the bottom of the tube and the serum positions above the formed elements of the blood, the combination of A. a serum container slidable within the collection tube,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the serum container is provided with fill indication mark, the said peripheral ridge of the second plug means registering with the fill indication mark when sufficient serum has passed into the serum container.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the portion of the plug means extending peripherally outwardly from the separator means is fabricated of resilient material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the first and second plug means are equipped with filtering means, said filtering means being positioned to filter the serum as it passes through the one way valve means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the handle contacts the handle attaching means near the outer periphery thereof, said handle applying forces peripherally to the handle attaching means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein portion of the plug means extending peripherally outwardly from the separator is equipped with reverse valve means, said reverse valve means opening in a direction opposite to the direction of opening of said one way valve means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |